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Interview with Karl Kapp on the Future Of Learning Design

This is inspired by blog Defining Quality in Learning for Virtual Worlds, Mobile Devices and Online Modules. I believe it is high time we get on with a working definition of quality from e-Learning systems.

When we talk about quality, definition that is closest to my heart is ‘value to someone’ from Dr. Gerald M. Weinberg. It is closest to my heart because I find it easy to apply into a business context. Well, that some one is the customer who invests in the product on behalf of the user (if customer and user are different). That is also the user who actually uses the product. That also includes balancing interests of many other stakeholders. Does that sound confusing? Not necessarily. Art of management is about balancing various forces. It is not one at the cost of others

That brings to FURPS+, traditional classification of quality we use in software engineering. I believe all dimensions require attention. Reliability, Performance and Supportability of the solution is as important as Functionality and Usability.

Well, that sounds too generic? What is “good enough” quality for a specific project/product must be assessed with respect to stakeholders of that project/product. I believe, assessing them on all dimensions are important though one could define degree of acceptable tolerance/compromise taking respective stakeholders into confidence

Now getting specific to the eLearning, two key elements that make a successful eLearning system are i) technology and ii) content. From technology perspective, I would consider adaptability, scalability and maintainablity apart from FURPS+. Well, I am aware these are already addressed by FURPS+ but I think these require special attention as the eLearning technology space is still evolving. From content perspective, I would classify it further into quality of content, quality of content presentation, and quality of content delivery. In the latter two (that is, quality of content presentation and quality of content delivery) role of technology is significant but what I would like to assess is what does it mean for the user, and other stakeholders

Hard questions on eLearning. World is changing, demanding, competitive. Are we ready yet?

With recession wave sweeping across the world, it is now time for austerity measures on spending. It is also time for investment

From what I have seen in my recent explorations, I am looking forward to significant changes in eLearning space as it evolves into a serious business and a serious profession. A forum to regulate exchange of ideas, evolution of standards, and compliance to standards catalyze transition of an emerging discipline into a serious profession. I believe, one of the critical necessity is a Body of Knowledge, going by success of similar initiatives on engineering and project management

I came across an interesting write up on ‘Agile Design: An Ethos for Creating Learning Platforms‘; a welcome initiative to bring agile approach into learning systems

Going my recent exploration in eLearning space, of late, I believe that this space is set to change with convergence of information and communication technologies and rapid changes taking place in related technologies. But I have not come across any product (commercial or otherwise) nor I have seen (or read about) any implementation, leveraging these even to a reasonable extent. Many, as I know, are in the research labs. Well, that is precisely my point.

Technology is only one of the influencing factors. It is, primarily, an enabling factor rather than a driving factor. Key is appreciation of its business potential, realization of business need and implementation of a solution to meet this need. This gives a clear business focus. Without such a focus, I find that, eLearning initiative gets pulled in different directions, especially given that eLearning represents confluence of many specialization. Resulting system becomes a skewed implementation influenced by political rather than business considerations.

Most significant influence of agile approach in software development, as I see it, is bringing focus back, from excessive documentation in the name of process and engineering, into delivering business value with honest communication and teamwork. I believe adoption of agile approach would help eLearning space as well, bringing focus back into business considerations especially given diverse, sometimes conflicting interests, of stakeholders of eLearning space

Have you registered for LearnTrends 2009 ‘The Corporate Learning Trends and Innovations Conference’. This online conference is scheduled for November 17-19 and registration is free

Topics:
Convergence in Learning
Extending Learning to the Edges of Organizations
Building a Social Learning Environment
Merging Information, Media, and Social Learning
Personal Knowledge Management
The LearnTrends Innovation Awards
The Immernet Singularity: How the Immersive Internet Will Redefine Learning and Collaboration
Reinventing organizational learning
Breaking down walls
Microlearning: Beyond Learning Objects and Just-in-time Performance Support
The Challenge of Convergence – Approaches for Getting Learning and Support Where Its Needed
Enterprise 2.0, Convergence, and Innovation
Convergence and Web Squared
Common tools for diverse communities at Xerox Global Services
E-learning outside the training box

Interesting perspective on importance of warmth and competence in eLearning

New wave of technology is changing world of books